Age of new pekin hen?

[1234chicken4321]

I just bought a '12 week old' pekin hen to become a friend for my 12 week hen (as I'm getting rid of all the other bantam (cockerels).

But it's looking somewhat smaller (and not as fluffy). I was thinking it's more 8ish weeks? I am concerned it's too little to hang out with them but we will see.

(being in the pen alone is just temporary then it will be free range).

 

[Mrs. K]

It does look like the fluffy one is older, I am going by the color of the comb. There will be a natural variance in size within a breed, or perhaps this is not a pure bred bird.

 

[1234chicken4321]

It does look like the fluffy one is older, I am going by the color of the comb. There will be a natural variance in size within a breed, or perhaps this is not a pure bred bird.

It was sold to me as a pure breed pekin so they should be the same but I suppose time will tell...

Maybe if it's under nourished it won't be so fluffy?

 

[Mrs. K]

The bird looks healthy to me. I don't think it is undernourished. I think the fluffiness comes from the birds genetics. I am not experienced with this breed.

You original question was on size and age and getting along, I think the thinner bird is younger, but they appear to be doing just fine in a small confinement, so I would expect them to get along.

But they really don't look like the same kind of bird to me.

 

[1234chicken4321]

I had to trim her upper beak as it was overgrown and now she's already starting to fluff up and groom herself.

Problem is just she's not fitting in with the other bantams at all. If I don't kick her out she will just stay inside all day as the others free range or just follow me round. Any suggestions?

 

[1234chicken4321]

She's puffed up nicely now. Still a lone wolf but maybe she's just happy that way.

 

[Mrs. K]

Hmm this post surprises me, turns out that you can have chickens for years, and not know everything.